Brought you by Asian Media Access and the Phoenix Chinese Dance Academy
Between Water and Clouds
Date
June 1st, 2023 from 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Rain Date Option
June 2nd, 2023 from 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Location
The Peavey Plaza
1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2406
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, with PHOTOS
Contact information: 612-376-7715 or amamedia@amamedia.org
Photo Courtesy: Asian Media Access
A Breath Taking Performance – Between the Water and Clouds
Between the water and the clouds is a peaceful place that is ethereal, delicate, and transcends the world. by Dance Drama Producer – Ange Hwang and Artistic Director – Ying Li
Hosted by Asian Media Access and Phoenix Chinese Dance Studio, we has successfully presented “Between the Water and Clouds,” this Multidisciplinary Dance Drama has illustrated the Chinese philosophy of simple and peaceful lifestyle to support the post-COVID era.
The Show has interwoven through Chinese Classic/Folk Dances, Chinese Music, Poetry, and integrating into an outdoor place-based Performance to present the artistic excellence of Chinese Arts. This project has successfully trained more than 70+ youth in learning the Chinese Dances, and prepared them to showcase the dance drama at the Minneapolis outdoor Peavy Plaza on June 1st, 2023, and at night from 8-10pm, with more than 450+ audience.
The Show is inspired by Chinese poet Wang Wei’s famous work “MY RETREAT AT MOUNT ZHONGNAN” poem:
“中歲頗好道，晚家南山陲。興來每獨往，勝事空自知。
行到水窮處，坐看雲起時。偶然值林叟，談笑無還期。“
“My heart in middle age found the Way. And I came to dwell at the foot of this mountain. When the spirit moves, I wander alone. Amid beauty that is all for me…. I will walk till the water checks my path, Then sit and watch the rising clouds — And some day meet an old wood-cutter, And talk and laugh and forget about time.”
The “Between the Water and Clouds,” Dance Drama has been divided into Four Acts, along with an Opening Ceremony 开场仪式 《敬天》 “Worship to the Heaven.” This is a ritual ceremony style of dance supported by all dancers. Not only the dance is breathtaking, but also amazingly seeing it performed by all 3 generations of dancers – paying true respect to heaven, nature, and human beings.
ACT ONE: 空灵之美水云间 The Ethereal Beauty Between the Water and Clouds
山水空灵之美 – 水云间带出令人向往的简单、闲适的意境. The ethereal beauty of mountains and rivers between the water and clouds brings out a simple and leisurely lifestyle that is longing by everyone. We presented the 4 dances in response to the theme and the Poetry One 第一首《鹧鸪天》by 朱敦儒:
第一首 宋 朱敦儒 《鹧鸪天·竹粉吹香杏子丹》 Poetry One: To the tune “Partridge in the Sky”— Bamboo Fragrance Wafts, Apricots’ Hue Blushed By Zhu, Dunru, Song Dynasty
we have a group of young dancers with lanterns to support our Poetry Parade scenes. Each time we cite the poem as a way to introduce the diverse concepts of “Between the Water and Clouds,” they are there to guide our audience. Young but committed, precise movements and locations, can’t be this success without them.
“竹粉吹香杏子丹。试新纱帽紵衣宽。
日长几案琴书静，地僻池塘鸥鹭闲。
寻汗漫，听潺湲。淡然心寄水间。
无人共酌松黄酒，时有飞仙暗往还“
“Bamboo fragrance wafts, apricots’ hue blushed.
Trying on a new sash hat with airy ramie gowned.
As days grow longer, accompanying the quietness with Qin and books abound;
Secluded by the pond with gulls and herons strolling around.
Wandering without boundaries, and heeding streams flowed.
Between the water and clouds, tranquility and peace are profound.
No one sharing the pine wine;
Only sprites appear, then disappear in a serene surround.“
DANCE #1: 水云间 Between Water and Clouds
Our first opening dance carried the same name as our dance drama – 水雲間 Between the Water and Clouds. The Dance Choreographer Ms. Ying Li from the Phoenix Chinese Dance Academy, described her idea of using the white sash to represent the clouds, “The flying sash is like the cloud in hands, to showcase dancers dance between the water and the clouds.” Indeed, the beautiful and floating dance movements have successfully carried the title, and set a wonderful tone for our extravaganza show.
DANCE #2: 古风舞韵 Rhythm of the Time with 3 short dances
DANCE #3: 傣家女儿 Dai Girls
DANCE #4: 觉 Awakening
DANCE #5: 水中月 Moon In Water
ACT TWO: 思念迢迢如云水 Thinking of You as Long as the Distance between the Water and Clouds
雨鄉憂思之美 – 水云间反映出離鄉背井的哀愁， 及戀人間的思念. The feeling of blue in the rainy village between the water and clouds reflects the sadness of leaving home and the longing of love ones. We have designed 4 dances in portraying the theme and “Poetry Two:
第二首《鹧鸪天·学画宫眉细细长》" by 欧阳修 Poetry Two - Zhe Gu Tian, by Ouyang Xiu (Song Dynasty)
“学画宫眉细细长。芙蓉出水斗新妆。
只知一笑能倾国，不信相看有断肠。
双黄鹄，两鸳鸯。迢迢云水恨难忘。
早知今日长相忆，不及从初莫作双“
“Tracing slender eyebrows of the palace style,
The gorgeous makeup stuns fresh lotus flowers.
Knowing the smile of the beauty can throw a kingdom,
But never understand that sadness can kill.
Swans fly in pairs and Mandarin Ducks swim together,
How could one forget the other can cross between the water and clouds?
If I knew the pain of missing you,
Would I rather we would never met……………..“
DANCE #6: 思慕 The Yearning of My Heart
DANCE #7: 那年花开 The Year the Flowers Bloomed
DANCE #8: 不朽的爱 Immortal Love
DANCE #9: 风 The Wind
ACT THREE: 边关辽阔望云水 The War Zone is as Desolate as Remoteness between the Water and Clouds
邊境遼闊之美 – 水云间描繪出江山萬里的家國情仇. The endless boundaries between the water and clouds depict the hardship and pride of guarding the country’s borders.
Dance Choreographer Ms. Ying Li has paid the tribute to our soldiers, she has choregraphed dances with more than 40 dancers and large formations in this Act to reflect the sacrifice of the soldiers guarding our Country.
第三首《凉州词二首·其一》by 唐 王之涣 Poetry Three
“黄河远上白云间，一片孤城万仞山。
羌笛何须怨杨柳，春风不度玉门关。“
“Amidst of clouds intertwining the Yellow River that flows far,
A lone fort sits between towering mountains, bleak as a scar;
Why complaining the Qiang flute murmuring the Willow Tune?
Since the spring breeze never visits the fort of Jade-Gate Dune.“
Below three dances not only reflect the strong pride and desire of supporting our country, but also such sacrifices are all coming our heroines.
DANCE #10: 昭君出塞 ZhaoJun
DANCE #11: 西施浣纱 Indulgent Charm
第四首 木兰辞 Poetry Four - The Ballad of Mulan
“唧唧复唧唧，木兰当户织。不闻机杼声，唯闻女叹息。
问女何所思，问女何所忆。女亦无所思，女亦无所忆。昨夜见军帖，可汗大点兵，军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名。阿爷无大儿，木兰无长兄，愿为市鞍马，从此替爷征.“
“By the doorway Mulan weaves
When all at once the shuttles cease
A sign is heard with solemn grief
O my daughter what is on your mind? who is you remembering?
I have nothing on my mind, remembering no one in my heart.
But last night I read the Military Post
The Khan is drafting an army of awe
An Order consisting of twelve scrolls
Father, your name is on each the scroll
Father, you have no grown son
Mulan has no older brother
I am willing to buy a saddle and a horse
Joining the army in the name of you, Father.“
DANCE #12: 木兰 The Story of Mulan
第五首《关山月》" by 李白 Poetry Five - Moon Over The Fortified Pass by Li Bai (Tang Dynasty)
“明月出天山，苍茫云海间。
长风几万里，吹度玉门关。
汉下白登道，胡窥青海湾。
由来征战地，不见有人还。
戍客望边邑，思归多苦颜。
高楼当此夜，叹息未应闲。“
“Silver light unveiling the zagging mountains,
The haze of clouds flowing boundaryless.
Wind whistles sand curtaining desolate miles,
The Gate of Jade amidst soaring peaks.
Warriors guarded along the frontier,
While tartars peered across Blue Bays.
From the battlefield outstretched here,
None have come back since olden days.
Yearning for hometown with wistful eyes,
Outworn armour keeps forlorn hope of return.
Longing in the empty upper chambers,
Sighs filling up the lonely nights.“
DANCE #13: 少年志 The Zeal of Youth
ACT FOUR: 何处不是水云间 My Heart is as Peaceful as the Void between Water and Clouds
禅思治癒之美 – 水云间参悟出心宽簡單的養生之道. The meditation and healing between the water and clouds enlighten the simple way of mindfulness lifestyle.
To close the Show, we circled back to the original vision – how peaceful and simple it can be between the Water and Clouds. Not only this Act reflects the different perspective of Chinese philosophy interpreting the HAPPINESS, and it also indicates the HEALINGS coming from within, with below poems and dances:
第六首《归去来兮》" by 陶渊明 Poetry Six - Back to the Simple Lifestyle
“云无心而出岫，
鸟倦飞而知返。“
“The clouds idle away from the mountain peaks inadvertently, and the birds know to return when weary of flying.“
DANCE #14: 千里共婵娟 Dancing With the Moon
DANCE #15: 醉太极 Floating Cloud and Flowing Chi
DANCE #16: 次仁拉索 Blissful Melody
DANCE #17: 小乐舞 The Song of Xiaoyue
第七首 《禅语》 Poetry Seven - Zen Proverb
“心中若有桃花源，
何处不是水云间。“
“If in your heart lies a Peaceful Land, there is always an Eternal Serenity rests between the Water and Clouds………..“
DANCE #18: 只此青绿 The Legend of a Panorama of Mountains and Rivers
The beautiful Finale – “The Legend of a Panorama of Mountains and Rivers” utilizes the Chinese water sleeves and traditional cloud symbol dance movements to take our audience wondering between the Water and Clouds, and finally back to the Peavey Plaza to close the show.
Final Bow
Please enjoy these beautiful photos, and we can’t wait to bring you another new chapter of “Between the Water and Clouds,” at 2024 International Children Day – June 1st!!!!
FMI: Asian Media Access, at 612-376-7715 and amamedia@amamedia.org
Photo Credits: Asian Media Access, Jing Wang, Junwei Han